On 10 April 2016, Embassy representatives attended a fund-raising event for the “Sagip-Aral Project” spearheaded by the Philippine Catholic Mission (PCM) in Switzerland and the newly-formed “Phil-Swiss Association” in Basel.

The event showcased Filipino talents in the field of music namely:  Armela Fortuna-Widmer, Soprano; Nikos Ibarra Mante, pianist and choral conductor; and John Rabbi Lumagbas, pianist.

The Sagip-Aral Project, aimed at fighting poverty in the Philippines through education, provides scholarship to fifty (50) high school students from the poorest families in Barangay San Isidro Labrador in Quinlongan, Quezon, Palawan. 

The Phil-Swiss Association, on the other hand, was established to foster integration of Filipinos in Switzerland, and promote education in the Philippines.  The association also aims to organize projects which help to improve the lives of those who are less fortunate in the Philippines.  

John Rabbi Lumagbas, the young pianist

Armela Fortuna-Widmer and Nikos Ibarra Mante,  Soprano and Pianist

Organizers of the event made a Powerpoint presentation on the Sagip-Aral Project to inform the

Filipino Community of the project’s objectives.